Returning from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in about a six-month span would have been a near-miraculous feat for New Orleans Saints linebacker Victor Butler.

That's why it should come as no surprise the Saints didn't bring Butler back to the active roster by the league's deadline. Coach Sean Payton said Wednesday that Butler, who injured his knee during the last week of organized team activities, will remain on the reserve/physically-unable-to-perform list.

Butler said he's never missed a day of football since playing as a
youth in Pop Warner leagues. Butler described missing the whole season
in one word: "Awful."

"I got engaged this year, and it's still a
horrible year for me," Butler said half jokingly. "As a competitor,
growing up in Pop Warner as one of six kids, compete is all I know. So not being able to compete, it's been a tough year. A very tough year."

Butler injured his knee in mid-June after a collision with Mark Ingram in the non-padded practice. Butler landed on the PUP list leading up to Week 1 rather than injured reserve to allow for practice time and a small chance for a return.

The Saints linebacker returned to the practice field Nov. 19 for a three-week span before the team had to make a decision to add Butler to the 53-man roster.

"The decision for not bringing him up to the roster was with where we're
at in the season, and where we feel like he's at health-wise," Payton
said. "His rehab has gone extremely well. To his credit, he's worked
very hard at it. Obviously with an ACL injury, there's a lot that goes
into that.

"We had that window where he could come out and you
try to pay attention to that. I think overall we felt it was just best
we went in that direction. Part of that is just having that confidence
and making sure that it's not too soon. I think the process in the way
we handled and the way he's handled it has been good with the rehab."

Butler signed a two-year deal in late March and was on his way to becoming a starter in defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's 3-4 scheme. Butler, who played under Ryan for two seasons in Dallas, has a clause in his contract where the second year could have been voided, but Butler's injury prevented him from reaching on-field incentives to trigger the void.